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The funny thing about it is that, even if the emerald mine had been real, it would explain maybe 1/10000 of Musk's wealth. If those who talk about the "emerald mine" had managed to multiply the wealth of their family by 10000 they would consider it an incredible success.

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It's a lot easier to gamble with your future when failure means a comfortable life of freedom, than when it means poverty and destitution.

It's also significantly easier to turn $100k into infinite money in the dot com boom

Time value of money is a thing, you know?

Back in those days, emerald mines were literally the equivalent of present-day tech IPO money. And if you read his biography by Ashlee Vance, you'll find out how the family would take vacations and travel to places by private plane.

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